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Anti-Hazing Resources

University anti-hazing policy

The University of Texas at Arlington defines hazing as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, occurring on or off campus of an educational institution, by one person alone or acting with others, directed against a student, that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of pledging, being initiated to, affiliating with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any university student organization, group, or team whose members are or include students at an educational institution.

Summary of Section 51.936 Texas Education Code

The term hazing includes, but is not limited to any type of physical brutality, physical activity, activity involving consumption of food, liquid, drugs, or alcohol, activity that intimidates or threatens the student, or any activity that induces, causes, or requires the student to perform a duty or task which involves a violation of the Texas Education Code Section 51.936; Hazing with or without the consent of a student whether on or off campus is prohibited, and a violation of that prohibition renders both the person inflicting the hazing and the person submitting to the hazing subject to discipline. Knowingly failing to report hazing can subject one to discipline. Initiations or activities of organizations may include no feature that is dangerous, harmful, or degrading to the student, and a violation of this prohibition renders both the organization and participating individuals subject to discipline.

According to the law, a person can commit a hazing offense not only by engaging in a hazing activity, but also by soliciting, directing, encouraging, aiding or attempting to aid another in hazing; by intentionally, knowingly or recklessly allowing hazing to occur; or by failing to report in writing first-hand information that a hazing incident is planned or has occurred to the vice president for student affairs. The fact that a person consented to or acquiesced in a hazing activity is not a defense to prosecution for hazing under this law.

In an effort to encourage reporting of hazing incidents, the law grants immunity from civil or criminal liability to any person who reports a specific hazing event to the Office of Student Affairs; and immunizes that person from participation in any judicial proceeding resulting from that report. The penalty for failure to report is a fine of up to $1,000, up to 180 days in jail, or both. Penalties for other hazing offenses vary according to the severity of the injury, which results and ranges from $500 to $10,000 in fines and up to two years confinement.

Hazing includes but is not limited to:

Any type of physical brutality, such as whipping, beating, striking, branding, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on body, or similar activity.

Any type of physical activity, such as sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, and confinement in a small space, calisthenics, or other activity that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the mental or physical health of the student.

Any activity involving consumption of food, liquid, alcoholic beverage, liquor, drug, or other substance which subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm or which adversely affects the mental or physical health of the student.

Any activity that intimidates or threatens the student with ostracism, that subjects the student to extreme mental stress, shame or humiliation, or that adversely affects the mental health or dignity of the student or discourages the student from entering or remaining registered in an educational institution, or that may reasonably be expected to cause a student to leave the organization or the institution rather than submit to acts described in this subsection.

Any activity that induces, causes, or requires the student to perform a duty or task which involves a violation of the Penal Code.

Organizations Found Responsible for a Hazing Violation In the past three years:

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated

Kappa Delta Chi Sorority

Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity

Further information about hazing, section 51.936 of the Texas Education Code, is available in hard copy in the Office of Community Standards located in the University Center Suite B170.

If you have any questions related to hazing or to make a report please contact the Office of Community Standards at 817.272.2354 or conduct@uta.edu.